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Oak Bush-cricket

Meconema thalassinum

Not yet photographed by the community

Pale green cricket of oak canopy; silent, drums on leaves.

Species Profile

Not evaluated for UK Red Data Book; locally common and stable

Lifespan: 1 year; adults emerge in summer and overwinter, dying in spring
Size & Weight: 12–15 mm body length; wingless or with vestigial wings
Habitat: Oak woodlands, mixed deciduous woodland, and scrubland with mature trees, particularly on oak foliage.
UK Distribution: Widespread across southern and central England, Wales, and the Midlands; expanding northwards; resident species with populations established year-round.
Diet: Omnivorous, feeding on small insects, insect eggs, and plant material including leaves and buds.
Prey: Small insects such as aphids, mites, and insect eggs
Predators: Spiders, robber flies, and insectivorous birds such as wrens and tits
Mating Season: August to October
Breeding: Females lay eggs singly into tree bark crevices; eggs overwinter and hatch in spring; single generation per year.
Behaviour: Primarily nocturnal and arboreal, spending most time in the canopy. Males produce a distinctive high-pitched stridulation by rubbing hind legs together to attract females. They are silent fliers despite lacking functional wings.

Did You Know?

•The Oak Bush-cricket was first recorded in Britain in 1897 and has since colonised much of England and Wales, likely aided by climate warming.
•Unlike many bush-crickets, this species is wingless or nearly wingless, yet it can still produce sound for communication.
•Adults are strictly nocturnal, remaining hidden in bark and foliage during the day and becoming active only after dark.
•The species is thought to have originated in southern Europe and represents a range expansion northwards during warmer periods.
•Stridulation frequency is temperature-dependent, with males producing faster calls on warmer nights.

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